Going all the way back to the construction of the Pharos of Alexandria in the 3rd century B.C.E., Egypt has long been a nation of naval innovation. The Port Said Lighthouse was the first building in the world created with reinforced concrete. Erected in 1869 by François Coignet, the lighthouse today is the longest-standing edifice in the city, and at 56 meters (184 feet) high, it’s considered an icon of Port Said because of its elegant design. The large sphere at the top was originally used to determine the power and direction of the wind.
